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Miami already has a date for the reopening of its commercial premises

Women walk across an empty avenue during evening rush hour, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in downtown Miami, Florida, U.S. April 13, 2020. Picture taken April 13, 2020. REUTERS / Marco Bello

Miami-Dade County authorities announced that commercial stores will be able to reopen their doors from May 18. After almost two months in which the county – which includes the territory popularly known as Miami. had kept all premises considered non-essential closed (basically everything that was not supermarkets, pharmacies and medical offices), there is already a date of economic reactivation.

At a press conference called to make the announcement, the county mayor, Carlos Gimenez, said: “We must get the economy going and do it as safely as possible. We will continue working on the reopening plan in the coming days but we have identified May 18 as the desired date for the return

By decree, Miami-Dade authorities ordered the closure of offices, as well as business premises and hotels, on March 19. Never in the history of South Florida was there a closure of this magnitude. Not even after devastating hurricanes like Andrew in the 90s.

Gimenez did not specify what type of businesses will be authorized to open their doors, but he clarified that the theaters, movie theaters and discotheques will not be part of the game. Restaurants will be able to open but under new rules. “They may have to remove some tables,” added the mayor, who indicated that they will provide the details of the reopening next week.

Among the most important requirements expected are the use of masks for workers and clients, in addition to respect for social distance.. And the city of Miami had reported weeks ago that in its phase one it will allow commercial premises to serve 25 percent of their capacity to ensure that there is no crowding.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Photo: REUTERS / Eva Marie Uzcategui

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Photo: REUTERS / Eva Marie Uzcategui

The beaches will remain closed, at least in this first phase of reopening. The tourism industry is expected to be one of the last to recover. Most of the shops will have to adapt to the new reality.

It is public knowledge that the reopening plan was drawn up by members of its administration and a panel of businessmen, doctors and merchants. But before it is implemented it will have to be approved by the county commissioners, who have the power to make changes. Once the debate in the county is over, each of the cities that make up this region has the authority to follow the instructions given by Miami-Dade or establish stricter rules..

Since the COVID 19 crisis unleashed, Gimenez has had a strained relationship with several of the mayors of the cities that make up the county. In fact, he did not consult with any of them when drafting the reopening plan.. The most populous cities, such as Miami, Hialeah and Miami Gardens, until now had much more conservative policies than the county and often the local press highlighted that Gimenez ended up following the leadership of the municipal mayors on issues such as, for example, the request that people stay in their homes, which Miami established long before Miami-Dade.

It is unknown if the municipalities will join the reopening order for May 18, although everything indicates that this time this will be the case. The economic impact of the closure has been very hard in a region where tourism and service are the two main industries. Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that South Florida reached the 14th consecutive day with a downward curve of cases.. The trend seems to indicate that the beginning of the recovery plan in this corner of the world is about to begin.

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